The power of the “Pledge of Allegiance.” In honor of Vietnam War US Navy Veteran and POW Mike Christian…

“The American Flag symbolizes the hope and inspiration that is the essence of everyone and everything in the US. There is another story that epitomizes the emotion and pride every American feels for the flag, and underscores the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance.”

“The Pledge of Allegiance” – by Senator John McCain

As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved usfrom these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room. This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home. One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian. Mike came from a small town near Selma , Alabama. He didn’t wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School . Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed. As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing. Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed it on the inside of his shirt. Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike’s shirt onthe wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of ourday now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the mostimportant and meaningful event. One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike’s shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it.

That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of the cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could. The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept. Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room. As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was to us to be able to Pledge our allegiance to our flag and country.

So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world. You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

#####

I have to admit that while saying the “Pledge of Allegiance” this week at the Depoe Bay (Oregon) City Council meeting I was not thinking about the history and power of America’s pledge… My friend US Army Col. Andy O’Meara (retired) sent me the above story of Mike Christian written by Senator John McCain. The story moved me deeply as it will for readers of all generations of Americans. We do not say the “Pledge of Allegiance” as often as we used to, and it is truly a shame. As Americans we need to be reminded of the sacrifices of so many to protect the freedoms we enjoy. And so, I am reminded and appreciate this opportunity to honor Mike Christian for his service to America.

Reconciliation: A Son’s Story by Steve Sparks

A Gift To Every Reader
By John F Tyson on April 18, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
Writing is a solitary process that requires purging, especially when it comes to a memoir. Not many would have the courage to reveal the depth and toxicity of PTSD at such an intimate level, on a complete family. To me, this book is a wonderful gift and will bring comfort to those who continue the struggle. An inspiring quote, buried in the copy, says it all; "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; It's about learning to dance in the rain".
I highly recommend this book.

My Journey of Healing in Life After Trauma, Part 1, Kindle $2.99

My Journey of Healing Part 2 for Parents, Teachers, and Mentors…

What Parents, Teachers, and Mentors Must Know!

Thanks to all for your donations to this self-funded social enterprise. Together, we can make a difference!

Social Media Tools

When Daddy Comes Home

Beatles #1 Deluxe Limited Editon..very cool!

Holden Village, A Memoir by Werner Janssen

I was taken by your quote at the end of chapter 1..."Miracles happen when freedom within nature and the human life are allowed to develop through relatively free interaction but without too much organizational interference." This is the magic sauce of innovation and entrepreneurship! Free wheeling brainstorming among kindred spirits!
Steve Sparks

Adventures in Innovation by John F. Tyson

"Kindred Spirits!"
By Steve Sparks on April 21, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Innovation and entrepreneurship" is the soul of a successful business enterprise. The Nortel story and legacy is both inspiring and sad. The "lessons learned" are well worth the price of admission... A must read for leaders, educators, and students everywhere!